Walt in PA

The one regret I have with Archery

The one regret I have about getting back into the sport of Archery is not seeing the value of an Indoor Archery Range. I got so caught up in re-living childhood memories on an Outdoor Field Course that I forgot how hard it was to walk the woods in bitter cold or trudging through snow.

No matter how much I’d like to head out and shoot, there is one thing standing in my way. I don’t have access to an Indoor Archery Range. Sure, Stowe Archers has an excellent facility but I haven’t been granted access.

The cub requires all members to attend 3 Membership Meetings and 6 Work Parties, in a 12 Month Period, before being granted access. Weather has prevented me from making the last two Membership Meetings and the lack of scheduled Work Parties over the winter has made volunteering difficult.

I’m in a bit of a predicament and not sure what I want to do going forward. Getting indoor access at Stowe is going to take some time. I don’t mind putting in the work but I’d like a place to shoot in the meantime. I suppose I could make a friend, with indoor access, and meet them for practice from time to time. Not being much of a talker makes this a bigger challenge than it seems.

My other option would be to join another club with immediate access to indoor facilities. It appears as though Reading Archery Club gives new members a key card after joining. Their indoor range is every bit as nice as Stowe and they are closer to home.

For the time being, I suppose I’ll just have to make due with Weekly Indoor 3D Fun Shoots at Reading Archery Club and the rotating 2014 Curt Peterson Southeast PA Indoor 3D Shoots. It means little to no sporadic practice sessions but Spring is quickly approaching and the Outdoor Field Course at Stowe will once again be an option.

2 comments
On The one regret I have with Archery

Walt, there’s always people at Stowe before and after the leagues – you can show up then and be sure of getting in. Also, try asking the powers-that-be about any work opportunities outside of the scheduled work parties – there’s always something to do.

I live right near the club and go up there all the time – please contact me about going up there to shoot, if you want – lots of tournaments are coming up and I need the practice!